The map shows the volume of irrigated water used (in m³) for sugarbeet per production value at producer price (values at current prices) in € PPS among different countries in Europe at NUTS2 level.
In cases where NUTS2 level data was not available the map shows the result in country level.

Europeans consume more natural resources than Europe’s environment can produce. Our consumption undermines the capacity of European ecosystems to provide goods and services and puts severe strain on the global environment.

The family run Fattoria La Vialla in Tuscany is a shining example of truly sustainable farm-ing. Every element of the production chain, from preparing the soil through to packaging the produce, has been planned with the environment in mind.

Land take by the expansion of residential areas and construction sites is the main cause of the increase in the coverage of urban land at the European level. Agricultural zones and, to a lesser extent, forests and semi-natural and natural areas, are disappearing in favour of the development of artificial surfaces. This affects biodiversity since it decreases habitats, the living space of a number of species, and fragments the landscapes that support and connect them. The annual land take in 36 European countries was 111 788 ha/year in 2000-2006. In 21 countries covered by both periods (1990-2000 and 2000-2006) the annual land take increased by 9 % in the later period. The composition of land taken areas changed, too. More arable land and permanent crops, forests, grasslands and open spaces and less pastures and mosaic farmland were taken by artificial development then in 1990-2000.

The Future We Want is the declaration on sustainable development and a green economy adopted at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio on June 19, 2012. The Declaration includes broad sustainability objectives within themes of Poverty Eradication, Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, Energy, Sustainable Transport, Sustainable Cities, Health and Population and Promoting Full and Productive Employment. It calls for the negotiation and adoption of internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals by end 2014. It also calls for a UN resolution strengthening and consolidating UNEP both financially and institutionally so that it can better disseminate environmental information and provide capacity building for countries.

Concepts such as Green Economy, Resource efficiency and Sustainable Consumption and Production are currently discussed as pathways to reduce environmental pressures in Europe and beyond. The European Environment Agency has interviewed some selected key stakeholders - from government, business, non-governmental organisations and academia - and asked them about their views what benefits a Green economy entails for Europe.